Pearson BTEC HNC in Art and Design (Arts Practice)

15 hours contact time to include practical classes, group work, lectures, seminars, visits, workshops, exhibitions or tutorials. Student workload usually includes 2 to 3 assessments per module.   

Personal Study

A further 20 hours maximum studying and preparing assessments in your own time per week, and use of online material.

GCSE 

• GCSE English Grade C or above OR Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Literacy
• GCSE Maths Grade C or above OR Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Numeracy

UCAS

• A minimum of 32 UCAS points at A level which must include a grade C pass or above at A2 moving image arts/media related subject
• A BTEC foundation Diploma in Art and Design with a M profile
• BTEC/OCR Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design with a MP profile. 

International requirements

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2
• IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (minimum of 5.5 in all skills) 
• PTE 51 or approved equivalent test in English

Equivalent qualifications include:

• Grade C (or above) in GCSE English
• Successful completion of a Level 3 Vocational Programme with assessments completed in English Language
• Essential Skills in Literacy (Level 2)
• ESOL Level 2

Tier 4 Students:

• SERC will only accept a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for issuing a Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) 

Admissions

Successful completion of the admissions process

APEL

Provide evidence of ability to undertake the programme by meeting the requirements for the accreditation of prior experiential learning. Further details on APEL can be found in the admissions section 

Students are assessed using a range of different methods. These include examinations, coursework, Project Based Learning, presentations, exhibitions, practical, role-play, and case studies.  This is dependent on the requirements of each unit of study.  Oral, written and online feedback will be provided during your course to help improve and monitor performance

Successful completion of the HNC Art and design course may provide you with the opportunity to complete a further year leading to the Level 5 HND in Art and Design programme. The course aims to help students to develop industry connections through a strong programme of masterclasses, practical workshops and industry visits. The teaching team all work within the creative arts in Northern Ireland and can offer advice and support to those seeking employment or further study in the field of creative industries. 

The HNC course has been designed to provide students with a strong theoretical and practical background to working in art practice. The combination of knowledge and skills students acquired on the HNC are all transferable into an industry setting.

Gaining a vocational qualification demonstrating your technical competence.

Gaining a Personal Development qualification demonstrating your employability skills (communication, teamwork, critical thinking).

Gaining hands on experience through Industry focussed assignments (PBL). 

Strengthening your ability to be self-reliant and self-motivated.  

As well as gaining a recognised qualification you will take part in employability skills workshops and gain skills in teamwork, commitment, IT, and problem solving.

 

Field trips and gallery visits are not compulsory, however there are occasions when lecturers will recommend exhibitions or workshop visits, they deem supportive to the students' studies.  The department recognises the importance of providing students with the opportunity to see professional works, both locally and internationally.  Field trips do not have a direct impact on individual academic success.  Costings for field trips are based on the confirmed total number of students wishing to partake.  

A materials list will be sent to students once accepted onto the course with specific requirements.  This will include;

• A standard kit of art materials such as sketch books, paints, brushes, pencils, pens. Approx. £100
• A digital SLR camera. Approx. £150 upwards
• A portfolio case with sleeves A3 or above dependent on own practice. Approx. £40-£60
• A memory cards for both video and audio files approx. £25.  

In addition, students will be expected to partake in gallery/museum/workshop visits. Students are asked to budget approx.

The course is provided and regulated by Pearson.

Core unit Mandatory - 1 Professional Development

Core unit Mandatory - 2 Contextual Studies

Core unit Mandatory - 3 Individual Project – Pearson set

Core unit Mandatory – 4 Techniques and Processes

Specialist unit Mandatory – 15 Media Practices

Specialist unit Mandatory – 16 Material Practices

 

Additional units of study [2 of the following]

Unit 28 Communication in art and design

Unit 30 Surface Design Unit

31 Visual Narratives